Guidance Officer

Last week Bowen State School celebrated Guidance Officers, my heart was full when the whole school roared three cheers and presented myself with a video of thanks and a cake.  So what is a Guidance Officer and what do they do?

* Guidance officers are specialist teachers that work with staff (teachers, teacher aides, CEC, Chaplains); students; families; specialists or external support providers to improve outcomes for students.

* Support offered by guidance officers includes providing advice and counselling on educational, behavioural, vocational, personal, social, family, and mental health and wellbeing issues.

* Assessments to gather information on students learning profile to enhance positive educational outcomes.

* Guidance officers provide leadership, support and case management in responding to some of the most complex and challenging of circumstances including student protection matters, critical incidents, mental health issues, and suicide prevention and postvention support.

* Guidance officers require a diverse range of skills and knowledge and an ability to form strong and productive relationships with key stakeholders in order to develop and implement plans and programs that are responsive to the needs of students

If you need more information please stop and have a chat when you see me around. 

Next week of celebrating all things Chaplaincy with heaps of fun and raising awareness of the Chaplaincy role Bowen State School.

Chappy Adam Goode is a key member of the school's Student Support Team and school community, his role is funded by the Federal Government for two days per week and State Government one day per week.   

We are really lucky to have such a connected, fun, outgoing, professional, knowledgeable and approachable Chaplain that goes above and beyond for the Bowen State School Community. 

What does our Chaplain do?

* Chappy provides pancakes breakfasts with Rainer Power CEC, the pancake mix is sponsored by the Bowen Baptist church.

* Chappy provides social, emotional and spiritual support to individual students through:

* Student check-ins and mentoring,

* Pastoral conversations

* Group work such as Boys Group (year 6 boys Wednesday afternoons)

* Alternative Learning In Various Environments (ALIVE) Thursday 2:30pm-4pm

* Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) rewards

* Lunch time connection with students

* Completes reports and attend P and C meetings

* Staff support

* Chef for sausage sizzles

* Chappy supports all whole school events

If you see Chappy Adam around please thank him for all his efforts to support students at our school.

Community Education Counsellor (CEC)

Week 6 Bowen State School celebrates ‘Reconciliation Week’.  Reconciliation week to us is about all of us acknowledging the past and moving forward together whilst we all share and celebrate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural, spiritual and educational practices. 

- We will have an information board on the parade ground at Breakfast club Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

- Garreth Prior Sport and Recreation Officer based at Girudala will be on site for Indigenous games at lunch time.

- The school will be exploring the website https://www.reconciliation.org.au/ in class.

- Indigenous leaders and performance group will present at parade on Friday.

Rainer Power is our CEC, we a please to have him onsite Monday-Friday.  We are one of few primary schools in the Northern Region to have a CEC.  Here’s a run-down on what a CEC does:

* Supports engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

* Explain the education system and various policies that impact on students.

* Support parents during parent/teacher interviews.

* Identify and establish links with support services for Indigenous students.

* Facilitate links with Elders and key Indigenous community persons.

* Provides lunch packs to school community through Girudala education officer Paul White

* Encourage parent involvement/ engagement with the school.

* Facilitate home visits if required

* Tracks attendance

* Check ins, mentoring, group programs such as Boys Group and ALIVE, enrichment programs

* Supports whole school events